Barnsley's lack of a cutting edge was all too apparent at Oakwell last night as The Reds squandered two valuable points that would have eased ever-lingering relegation fears.
It has been clear to Reds fans for quite sometime which department needs strengthening. The defence, although prone to the odd mistake is far better than the one which shipped the most goals in the entire Football League last season. The midfield has been a real bright spot and a big source of goals (The midfield has accounted for 21 of the 37 Championship goals The Reds have scored this season). Sadly it is the forwards who are lacking. With the exception of Jon Macken who has bagged 5 goals in 16 starts for Barnsley, the forward line simply hasn't produced. Istvan Ferenczi has four to his name but hasn't scored since December, whilst the other "strikers" on the clubs books, Miguel Mostto, Kim Christensen, Kayode Odejayi and Michael Coulson all have just a solitary strike each.
With Danny Nardiello ineligible to play last night due to QPR being his parent club, Ferenczi missed two absolute sitters in the first half that should have led to a comfortable victory.
The ball should have been in the net after just three minutes. Brian Howard (who had his best league game for sometime) found himself completely free in the area but his shot lacked conviction and Rangers keeper Lee Camp clawed the ball away. Two minutes later came Ferenczi's first howler.
Camp came to collect the ball on the edge of the area but dropped it allowing Ferenczi a clear sight of goal. Instead of just tapping into an empty net with his left foot, he waited to get the ball on his right and Michael Mancienne managed to get back and block. A real real chance!
A howling wind (which would lead to a small tremor in the early hours of the morning) was making any real progress extremely difficult for both sides, but Howard looked like a man possessed as he looked to build on his match winning strike at Liverpool. The same unfortunately could not be said of Martin Devaney, whose wonderful cross led to Steve Foster's equaliser at Anfield.
Last night his crossing was poor and most of his passes went astray. It was not a night for fancy football.
Rangers, with their new billionaire owners behind them seemed content to hang on for a point and only a great block from Martin Rowlands denied Macken a goal.
Then on 33 minutes came another terrible miss from Ferenczi.
Howard released Jamal Campbell-Ryce down the right-hand side and he produced a great cross which Ferenczi met full on as he arrived late in the box. It seemed impossible to miss but his header struck the outside of the post and went wide!
QPR were a different proposition after the break and came out more looking for a goal. On 48 minutes the wind caught out Luke Steele as he fumbled a long range effort from Rowlands but luckily Dextor Blackstock blazed the rebound over. A minute later Blackstock was in again. Marciano Van Homoet was caught in possession and the former Southampton youngster nipped around Steele but Lewin Nyatanga got back to make a terrific block on the line.
With both sides going for it in the final twenty minutes more chances arrived. Camp tipped over a freekick from substitute Diego Leon and then five minutes later, Leon twisted and turned before curling a beautiful effort just over the bar. Barnsley appealed for a penalty with two minutes remaining after Macken went down under a challenge from Mancienne but from where I was sitting he looked to have got the ball first.
As the final whistle blew, frustrated rang around Oakwell. Just like at Norwich on Saturday wasted opportunities had cost the Reds. You don't get away with missing chances like at this level for very long.
Player Ratings:
Luke Steele: One spill nearly proved costly in the second half, but has very little to do. 7
Stephen Foster: Solid and dependable as ever. Got forward whenever possible. 7
Dennis Souza: Excellent game. Won everything in the air and QPR couldn't find a way around him.8
Marciano Van Homoet: His pace and passing are his great assets. In one on one races for the ball he always won. Dispossessed by Blackstock though which nearly led to a goal. 7
Martin Devaney: Awful game. Crossing, corners, passing, all off the mark. A frustrating evening for him. Subbed. 4
Brian Howard: Best league game in a long while! Drove the team forward at every opportunity. The one blot being he missed a great chance after just three minutes. 8
Bobby Hassell: Back in as a defensive midfielder and warmed to the task a lot more. Produced some quality balls to the wings. 8
Jamal Campbell-Ryce: Terroised the Rangers defence constantly. Put a great cross on Ferenczi's head which he squandered and every time JCR got the ball you expected something to happen. 9
Jon Macken: Excellent link up play again and denied a goal by a last ditch Rowlands challenge. 7
Istvan Ferenczi: Squandered two of the easiest chances he's ever likely to get. You can't do that at this level Stan. Subbed. 5
Substitutes:
Kayode Odejayi (for Ferenczi 60) Starting to win fans back around again. His size and power was too much for QPR and was desperately unlucky not to at least set a goal up. 7
Diego Leon (for Devaney 68) Almost changed the game on arrival. A freekick and a wonderful curler were so unlucky not to go in. 8
Unused Substitutes:
Luke Potter, Sam Togwell, Rohan Ricketts
QPR: Camp ,Delaney ,Hall ,Mancienne ,Connolly ,Buzsaky ,Rowlands ,Leigertwood ,Balanta (Ephraim ,62 ) ,Blackstock (Vine ,78 ) ,Agyemang
Sponsors Man of the Match: Jamal Campbell-Ryce
BarnsleyBoy's Man of the Match: Jamal Campbell-Ryce: Howard, Leon and Souza all had good games but JCR just about shades it.
Ref Watch: Eddie Illderton: Tried to keep the game ticking over despite heavy wind. 7
Other Reports:
FootyMad
Official Website
BBC
Coca-Cola Championship Results: Tuesday 26th February 2008:
BARNSLEY 0-0 QPR
Burnley 2-0 Coventry
Preston 2-0 Stoke
Barnsley lie in 16th place in the Coca Cola Championship with 41 points from 34 games.
We are 11 points off the Play-Offs, 20 points off the Automatic Promotion Places, 21 points off First Place and 6 points above the Relegation Zone.
Up to and including 27/2/08
At Oakwell:
Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Thirty Five: Barnsley v Sheffield Wednesday, Saturday 1st March 2008 Kick-Off 3pm
Tickets for the big game are priced at:
East Stand and West Stand Upper Tiers
Adults £22.00
OAP/Juvenile £13.00
Juveniles (U11) £7.00
Barnsley Chronicle Family Area
Adults £22.00
OAP £13.00
Juvenile £13.00
Juveniles (U11) £7.00
East Stand Lower and West Stand Lower
Adults £21.00
OAP/Juveniles £12.00
Juveniles (U11) £6.00
Enterprise PLC Stand (Pontefract Road End)
Adults £20.00
OAP/Juveniles £12.00
Juveniles (U11) £6.00
All Disabled Areas £20.00
Helpers FREE OF CHARGE
To book tickets for forthcoming matches simply phone the Oakwell Box Office on 0871 2266777. Alternatively call at the Box Office in person; contact the Box Office by fax on 01226 211444 or e-mail boxoffice@barnsleyfc.co.uk. Please note that Juvenile U11 tickets must be purchased in advance from the Oakwell Box Office and this price will not be on sale on the turnstiles under any circumstances.
BARNSLEY supporters wishing to purchase tickets for this weekend's South Yorkshire derby against Sheffield Wednesday (March 1, 2008, KO 3.00pm) must do so at the Oakwell turnstiles on Wednesday February 27.
Please note that supporters must pay with cash only on the turnstiles and no tickets whatsoever will be on sale at the Oakwell Box Office in the build up to the big game. The Pontfract Road End turnstiles will be open from 2.00pm to 8.00pm.
Please note that this match is ALL TICKET and no match tickets will be on sale from the Oakwell Box Office after Wednesday.
On The Road:
Coca Cola Championship Matchday Thirty Six: Blackpool v Barnsley, Tuesday 4th March 2008 Kick-Off 7:45pm
Tickets:
Adults - £17.00
Senior Citizens (Over 60) - £13.00
Juveniles (16 to 19) - £10.00
Juveniles (Under 16) - £8.50
Official Reds on the Road coaches will be making the trip to Blackpool. Coaches will depart Oakwell at 4.30pm on the day of the game and the fare is £12.00
|
